BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – Two Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who had been temporarily residing in Eswatini have been voluntarily repatriated to their respective countries of origin following requests to return home and reunite with their families.
According to a government statement issued by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli on Tuesday, one of the TCNs, a national of Mauritania, was repatriated on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The Mauritanian national arrived in Eswatini in July 2026 as part of the fourth group of TCNs admitted into the Kingdom under the existing bilateral arrangement between the Governments of Eswatini and the United States of America.
Government said the national requested voluntary repatriation and expressed a desire to reunite with his family.
“Following his request for voluntary repatriation and his expressed desire to reunite with his family, the Government facilitated the necessary arrangements to enable his return home,” Mdluli said.
The national has since returned to Mauritania and is expected to reunite with his family.
A second TCN, a national of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also voluntarily returned home on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
The DRC national was part of the third group of TCNs that arrived in Eswatini under the bilateral arrangement.
Government said he requested to return to his country of origin and reunite with his family, after which arrangements were made to facilitate his departure.
“Government further informs the public that a national of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who was part of the third group, voluntarily departed the Kingdom on Sunday, 16 August 2026, following his request to return to his country of origin and reunite with his family,” Mdluli said.
The two repatriations form part of ongoing arrangements concerning TCNs who are temporarily residing in Eswatini.
Government said a number of TCNs have expressed requests for voluntary repatriation and indicated an interest in returning to their respective countries of origin to reunite with their families.
“Government is engaging with the relevant authorities and partners to facilitate such requests in accordance with the applicable arrangements and procedures,” Mdluli said.
The statement said the Government remains committed to ensuring that the rights and wellbeing of TCNs are respected and protected during their temporary stay in the Kingdom.
At the same time, Government said it would continue safeguarding the security and interests of Eswatini and its people.
“The public will be kept informed of any further developments in this regard,” Mdluli said.
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